Role Overview for Head of Corporate Development with a Public FinTech – Salt Lake City, UT
JRG Partners has been exclusively retained to identify a visionary and results-driven Head of Corporate Development for a premier, publicly traded Financial Technology (FinTech) company headquartered in the vibrant tech hub of Salt Lake City, Utah. This is a career-defining opportunity to join a fast-paced, innovative organization at a pivotal moment in its growth trajectory. As a key member of the executive leadership team, you will be the primary architect of the company’s inorganic growth strategy, reporting directly to the Chief Financial Officer.
The Head of Corporate Development will be responsible for the entire lifecycle of strategic transactions, including mergers and acquisitions (M&A), strategic investments, joint ventures, and high-impact partnerships. You will be tasked with identifying, evaluating, and executing opportunities that align with the company’s long-term vision, enhance its product portfolio, and accelerate its market expansion. The ideal candidate is a seasoned dealmaker with a profound understanding of the FinTech ecosystem, exceptional financial acumen, and a proven track record of closing complex transactions that create significant shareholder value.
You will operate at the intersection of strategy, finance, and technology, requiring a unique blend of analytical rigor and creative, strategic thinking. The successful candidate will possess a deep understanding of the competitive landscape and be adept at identifying emerging opportunities, keeping pace with the rapidly evolving ecosystem as highlighted in reports on global FinTech trends. This role is critical to shaping the future of the company and cementing its position as a leader in the financial technology industry.
Key Responsibilities of Head of Corporate Development with a Public FinTech – Salt Lake City, UT
M&A Strategy and Execution
Develop and refine the company’s M&A strategy in collaboration with the executive team. Lead the end-to-end M&A process, from target identification and sourcing to valuation, due diligence, negotiation, and deal structuring. Ensure seamless execution and successful post-merger integration (PMI) planning and oversight.
Strategic Investments and Ventures
Identify, evaluate, and execute minority investments in promising startups and technology companies that offer strategic value, access to new technologies, or potential future acquisition pathways. Manage the portfolio of strategic investments.
Partnership and Alliance Development
Proactively source, develop, and manage a pipeline of strategic partnerships and alliances that drive revenue growth, expand product capabilities, and enhance our competitive positioning in the market.
Market Intelligence and Thesis Development
Conduct comprehensive market analysis to identify key industry trends, competitive threats, and growth opportunities. Develop investment theses and strategic rationale for potential transactions, presenting findings and recommendations to senior leadership.
Financial Modeling and Valuation
Build and oversee the development of complex financial models, including discounted cash flow (DCF), comparable company analysis, precedent transaction analysis, and accretion/dilution models to support strategic decision-making.
Due Diligence Leadership
Lead and coordinate cross-functional due diligence teams, including members from Finance, Legal, Product, Engineering, and Sales, to thoroughly assess all aspects of a potential transaction, identifying both risks and synergies.
Negotiation and Deal Structuring
Act as the lead negotiator on behalf of the company for all transaction terms, working closely with legal counsel to draft and finalize term sheets, letters of intent, and definitive agreements.
Executive and Board Communication
Prepare and deliver compelling presentations and strategic recommendations to the executive leadership team and the Board of Directors to secure approval for proposed transactions and provide updates on corporate development activities.
Team Leadership and Mentorship
Build, lead, and mentor a high-performing corporate development team. Foster a culture of excellence, collaboration, and continuous learning within the department.
Relationship Management
Cultivate and maintain a strong network of relationships with investment bankers, venture capitalists, private equity firms, and industry executives to ensure a robust pipeline of strategic opportunities.
Requirements for the Head of Corporate Development with a Public FinTech – Salt Lake City, UT
Professional Experience
A minimum of 12-15 years of progressive experience in corporate development, investment banking, private equity, or venture capital. A significant portion of this experience must be directly focused on the technology and/or financial services sectors.
Industry Expertise
Deep domain expertise in the FinTech industry is required. Familiarity with verticals such as payments, digital lending, banking-as-a-service (BaaS), wealth management technology, and insurtech is highly desirable. Experience working within a publicly traded technology company is strongly preferred.
Proven Deal Track Record
Demonstrable track record of successfully leading the full lifecycle of multiple M&A transactions, from sourcing to integration. Experience with various deal structures and sizes is essential.
Technical Acumen
Mastery of advanced financial modeling, valuation techniques, and transaction structuring. Exceptional analytical and quantitative skills are a must.
Strategic Mindset
A highly strategic thinker with the ability to analyze complex market dynamics, formulate a clear corporate development strategy, and translate that strategy into actionable plans and executed deals.
Leadership and Influence
Proven ability to lead and inspire cross-functional teams in a fast-paced environment. Must possess outstanding executive presence and the ability to influence and build consensus with senior executives, board members, and external partners.
Communication Skills
Impeccable written and verbal communication skills. The ability to distill complex information into clear, concise, and persuasive presentations and documents is critical.
Negotiation Skills
World-class negotiation skills with a history of successfully navigating complex deal terms to achieve favorable outcomes.
Education
Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Economics, Business, or a related quantitative field is required. An MBA from a top-tier business school is strongly preferred.
Benefits & Perks Offered
Our client is committed to attracting and retaining top talent by offering a comprehensive and competitive benefits package, including:
Competitive Compensation
A highly attractive compensation package consisting of a competitive base salary, a significant annual performance-based bonus, and a substantial equity grant (RSUs).
Comprehensive Health & Wellness
Full suite of medical, dental, and vision insurance plans for you and your dependents. Access to a corporate wellness program, mental health resources, and an Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
Retirement Planning
A 401(k) retirement plan with a generous company matching contribution to help you plan for your future.
Work-Life Balance
A flexible Paid Time Off (PTO) policy, complemented by numerous company-paid holidays, to ensure you have time to rest and recharge.
Professional Development
A dedicated annual budget for professional growth, including conferences, certifications, and continuing education courses.
Family Support
Comprehensive paid parental leave for all new parents.
Modern Work Environment
A state-of-the-art office in Salt Lake City with a hybrid work model that provides flexibility and fosters collaboration.
How to Apply
This is a confidential, retained search conducted by JRG Partners. If you are a strategic, results-oriented leader with a passion for driving growth in the FinTech space, we encourage you to apply. To be considered for this pivotal leadership role, please submit your resume and a cover letter outlining your relevant experience. JRG Partners is proud to lead this executive search. You can learn more about our expertise by visiting our FinTech and Financial Services executive search practice.
